Definition of Sin

No Darkness In God

Ken

Through the Apostle John, God has given His children a decisive reply to anyone who says not everything is as simple as black and white, good and evil, light and darkness. 

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5 KJV). 

The world hates the light because it does not comprehend it. “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). 

Does God hold us responsible for what we do not comprehend? Yes. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Corinthians 2:14). 

Then God discriminates against us arbitrarily? No. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). 

What did we do to cause God to treat us like that? “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (1:20-21).

Doesn’t that leave the entire world in the desperate situation of sinning rebels against God? Yes, but that is where we have our first Good News from God. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1Timothy 1:15). 

What does all of this have to do with understanding “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1John 1:5)? God has given us His Spirit, which gives us understanding that He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Otherwise, we can have no real spiritual understanding. “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1Corinthians 2:10). 

If we contend that we have spiritual understanding without the Spirit of God giving it to us, then we are in opposition to God’s plain statement, “God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit” (2:10). 

We do not know anything, unless God’s Spirit reveals it to us. 

Nothing. 

Anything else is only the pride of our intellect masquerading as our spirituality. 

If We Say 

John continues laying the foundation of this pivotal epistle to his Little Children giving them the certainty “that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13), further answering any contradiction of “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1:5). 

First, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1John 1:6 KJV). Claiming to have fellowship with the God, who is light, while walking in darkness, is an absolute lie. Our main concern is not who will discover our secret sins, when no one is looking, but God sees the truth about us the world cannot begin to see. This is more profound than everyone claiming to being a saved sinner as opposed to a lost sinner, which destroys the separation of light from darkness.

John’s response to the childish claim of being in fellowship with God while walking in darkness is simply to return to walking in the light. Repentance grants us application of the blood of Christ, which gives forgiveness and renewed fellowship with God. “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:7 KJV). 

Second, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1John 1:8 KJV). This is an extension of the previous childish argument of claiming to have fellowship with God while walking in darkness (1:6). This is not calling anyone a liar, who claims they have no sin. If God’s children cannot be without sin, then how could we ever pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12)? And, if this is saying we have a Constitutional Sin Nature by reason of being born physically into this world, then why would God hold that against us? Sin is not a metaphysical condition you were born with, but sin is only a willful act of transgressing God’s law. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4). 

John’s response to the deception of having no sin, while walking in darkness, is simply to admit the truth and confess the darkness you have been practicing as sin. His faithfulness and justice allows your repentance to complete cleansing. 1John 1:9 is the Christian’s Bar of Soap. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Repentance means we never intend to practice that sin again. God’s promises alone preserve us from repeating our sins. “He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Amen! 

Third, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:10). John concludes the three part response hindering his Little Children from understanding the remainder of the Epistle of First John. Adamantly maintaining, I have not sinned, is calling God a liar for having identified you as a sinner (walking in darkness), while claiming to have fellowship with God  (1:6). 

John’s response begins the second chapter of this First Epistle of John. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). Not only can sin be forgiven, but sin can be prevented.  Jesus Christ is our Advocate, Paraklete to keep us from sinning — not just to clean up our mess after we have sinned. He is the One praying for us. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

Essence of Sin

Ken

“Whosoever committeth [Greek, poieō, NET, practices] sin [Greek, hamartia] transgresseth [Greek, poieō] also the law [NET, practices lawlessness]: for sin is the transgression of the law [NET, lawlessness]” (1John 3:4 KJV). If sin is a condition of lawlessness, from whom was Lucifer originally infected in Heaven? No one. But, if sin is essentially a heartfelt action of transgression, rebellion, or violation against God, shouldn’t we assume lawlessness is only a secondary description of the underlying heart action of committing against the Almighty Lawmaker? Yes. “For thou [Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). The essence of sin is selfishness — a heartfelt committing against God. 

Selfishness is not simply concern over any negative impact against ourselves. For even Paul rightly said, “No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:29). Selfishness is not loving yourself as much as your neighbor, for Jesus required us to love our neighbor equal — not more and not less — to ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Selfishness is more concern about ourselves than God and not being as concerned about our neighbors as we are about ourselves.“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Sin harms our neighbor and injures us, but foremost, sin is against God. “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest” (Psalm 51:4). When we speak of the waywardness of sin towards God and humanity, we reflect that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin essentially falls short of God’s glory, not because it is trying but can’t make it, but because sin does not intend to glorify God. Sin is a choice. For this reason, only those created in the image of God, are capable of sinning. God’s accountability of humankind, even the younger, is based upon their capacity to understand the implications of their actions towards God. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Christianity must beware of “age of accountability” assumptions, where it is thought, God does not hold children accountable for their beliefs and actions until they are 12 or 13 years old. Jesus clearly invited much younger children to come into His Kingdom. “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). 

Your intention as a parent is crucial. “Train up [Hebrew, chânak, dedicate] a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD (1Samuel 1:28), and brought him to stay with Eli when he was young (1:24). Timothy was trained by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2Timothy 1:5). “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Timothy 3:15). Training does not give young children a free pass to poor conduct until a future “age of accountability,” but instead, requires conduct to match understanding. 

According to Scripture, sin is: 

First, “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin” (Proverbs 21:4). Sin starts in the heart, looks out through the eyes, and results in innumerable actions that are sin, though outwardly may not appear sinful. 

Second, “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men” (Proverbs 24:9). Thinking to do or commit foolishness is sin, even without the actual commission of the act, for God sees the intentions of our heart. 

Third, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). If believing is the pisteuō commitment of the heart to God, then withholding of that pisteuō commitment of the heart to God is sin.

Fourth, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Again, knowledge must go before intent. One cannot unintentionally sin. Knowledge of what you are supposed to do or not do, must first be present. You cannot be guilty before God of sin, unless you first knew better. 

Fifth, “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (1John 5:17). Righteousness is right action; but, if we take credit for our right actions, then we relapse into pharisaism, which only justifies ourselves before men and not God. We can only be clothed with Christ’s righteousness, if we take no credit for our right actions. Unrighteousness, then, is our claim for ourself, if we seek the righteousness of Christ, since we so sorely need His righteousness. 

Jesus is the Cure and Prevention for Sin 

To leave even this short study of sin without mentioning the cure and prevention of sin, would be insufferable. Jesus is both the cure and prevention of sin. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6). 

Wait! How can this be so? 

If we back up two verses, we are told, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4). 

Then, we are told Jesus “was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (1John 3:5). 

Okay, we have His forgiveness because He is sinless. 

But, the next verse gives us the impression “whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not” (1John 3:6). 

That is, if we are presently continuing or abiding in Jesus, we cannot at the same time be committing sin. 

That is logical and reasonable. 

But, how can the Apostle John add to this, “Whosoever sinneth [present tense, sins] hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6)? 

Try this interpretation: The Holy Spirit cannot assure you that you know Him, while you are sinning or rebelling against Him. Instead, He witnesses against you, I have neither seen or known you. Can you blame Him? 

In summary, all sin is against God; and, Jesus is both the cure and prevention of sin. “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (1John 3:5). Sin is the direct opposite of the pisteuō commitment to Jesus, and is properly, commitment against God in its rawest form. 

Father, You have been very wise, loving, patient, and kind to teach us about our sins. No one could have done better! May we care deeply about sin, if You had to send Your Son to the Cross to pay sin’s penalty. May our understanding of all sin being against You cause us to desire to depart from evil. May our understanding of Jesus lay the foundation of Your delivering us from all sin past, present, and future. May You destroy all the works of the devil, and preserve us while You do. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Glorious in Holiness

Ken

“Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11 KJV). Doing nothing but comparing Almighty God’s trifecta of holiness as exceeding the glory, praise, and wonder of gods living and dumb is the fulfillment of our human existence. What service more can we give than elevate Yahweh’s set apartness as exceeding greater than any simple opposition to the vacuum of sin’s lack of submission to God? Our God is “majestic in holiness” (15:11 NET). 

Holiness in God is more than the lack of presence of sin, but the elevation of His set apartness flowing from His person. Holiness is more than a reaction to sin, since Yahweh was holy before any transgressed His law, for “sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4 KJV). To extol God’s character as worthy of praise indicates understanding of Him connected with the emotion to “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (1Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:9). How can we worship and praise Him for what we little understand? 

May God’s Spirit teach us His character that we may extol Him in heartfelt praise — “majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders” (Exodus 15:11 NET). More than filling our intellect, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3 KJV). May we do now, what we will do forever. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.